KANSAS CITY, Mo—Midwestern Seminary celebrated recent graduates from the Korean Studies doctoral program during a ceremony in Korea on April 28.
Midwestern Seminary Senior Vice Presidents Jason Duesing and James Kragenbring traveled to Korea to conduct the ceremony and visit with Korean alumni and ministry partners on April 26–30.
“One of the more encouraging aspects of our work at Midwestern Seminary is our many language programs, especially our Korean program,” said President Jason Allen. “Whether on the campus of Midwestern Seminary or in South Korea itself, the Lord is doing a work among the Korean peoples for His glory. I am very thankful that we get to be a part of raising up the next generation of Korean ministers.”
Duesing, who serves as provost and senior vice president of academic administration, noted the importance of international partnerships in the seminary’s mission for the Church. “To assist in the training of church leaders in other nations allows Midwestern Seminary to serve more churches as they carry out the Great Commission among all languages,” he said.
A key church partner in Korea is Global Mission Church, where Duesing and Kragenbring enjoyed fellowship with pastor emeritus Daniel Dongwon Lee during their visit.
A noted evangelist and preacher, Lee is the founding pastor of Global Mission Church and serves as distinguished professor of expository preaching in Korean Studies at Midwestern Seminary. In 2019, he was honored as a Spurgeon Fellow at Midwestern Seminary for his contributions to expository preaching and theological education.
Since its founding in 1994, Global Mission Church has grown to more than 30,000 members, making it one of the largest Baptist churches in the world. Under Lee’s leadership, the church was a leading contributor to Midwestern Seminary’s efforts to construct a new chapel in 2014, which was named in honor of Lee.
Global Mission Church hosted Duesing and Kragenbring for several events during their visit. On Sunday, April 27, Duesing preached to the congregation from Romans 12:1–3. On April 28, the church welcomed Midwestern Seminary graduates and guests for the graduation celebration and an alumni gathering.
Dressed in their regalia, recent Korean doctoral graduates gathered for the ceremony with their families, Korean Studies faculty, and the visiting leaders from Midwestern Seminary including Dean of Asian Studies Sung Jin Park.
Reflecting on the Great Commission contributions of Korean Studies alumni, Park shared, “I am encouraged by how our Korean Studies graduates actively serve the Church through pastoral leadership, local ministry, and global missions.”
He continued, “Their commitment to advancing the gospel, as demonstrated through their involvement with key partner churches and their dedication to ministry, reflects the strong impact of their theological training. Seeing them faithfully live out the Great Commission in diverse contexts, while being sensitive to their cultural heritage, is a powerful testament to their commitment to gospel-centered ministry.”
During the ceremony, Duesing commended graduates, saying, “On this day that we celebrate the completion of your degree, it is my joy to say that when people ask me what it means to be ‘for the Church,’ I point them to our graduates.”
“We are proud to serve with you,” he added.
At the alumni gathering later that day, Duesing gave a lecture on the topic “Living for the Church.” Reflecting on 1 Timothy 3:15, he encouraged the alumni and guests in their efforts to advance the Great Commission.
“The more the Church prioritizes the gospel, the brighter it shines and the more it points people to Christ,” he said.
The alumni gathering also featured a seminary preview for prospective Korean Studies students. Kragenbring, who serves as senior vice president for Institutional Administration, shared an update from the Kansas City campus and words of gratitude for Korean alumni.
“Our confidence in the future is strengthened as we look to you,” he said. “You are one of God’s great works in and through Midwestern Seminary. The strength of our alumni is the measure of our mission. Midwestern Seminary exists for the Church; seeing you serve the Church, contending daily for the faith once for all delivered to the saints, is the clearest evidence that we are fulfilling our mission.”
During their time in Korea, Duesing, Kragenbring, and Park also enjoyed a visit with Lloyd Choi, senior pastor of Gangnam Central Baptist Church. As another key partner church in Korea, Gangnam Central Baptist Church has supported Midwestern Seminary students financially and provided adjunct faculty for the Korean Studies programs. Choi’s wife, Lauren Lee, earned a Doctor of Education from Midwestern Seminary in 2024.
Park shared, “Our partnerships with churches in Korea, such as Global Mission Church and Gangnam Central Baptist Church, significantly advance Midwestern Seminary’s mission by supporting theological education and leadership training among Korean-speaking church leaders.”
He added, “To effectively fulfill this mission, it is essential to understand and respect the unique historical, cultural, and political contexts of Korean churches, recognizing that the Great Commission is best realized when applied within these specific settings.”
Duesing also noted the broader impact of Midwestern Seminary’s Korean graduates and church partners on the nations. “Our partnership with Korean-speaking churches is key given how much we can learn from their commitments to prayer and the sending of missionaries. As one example, our Korean-language programs are equipping current and future missionaries who are able to reach unreached peoples around the world that many English speakers never will be able to reach.”
To learn more about Midwestern Seminary’s Korean Studies programs, click here.
